Australia has identified a record number of whooping cough cases, marking an epidemic after over 40,000 cases were reported.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness caused by bacteria. In some cases, it can lead to severe health complications or even be fatal.
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia (IFA), which compiled the data, said it expects cases to rise by thousands more before the year ends.
Here’s what you need to know.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It has an infectious period that can last up to three weeks from infection.
As the name suggests, the primary symptom is a severe cough that produces a distinctive “whooping” sound.
In some cases, the infection can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage.
Australian cases
This year, Australia recorded 41,013 cases of whooping cough, which averages to around 130 confirmed cases each day.
Rates dropped significantly during the pandemic, primarily due to limited social contact, but have now risen past the previous record of 38,748, set in 2011.
Children aged 10 to 14 were the most affected group, representing nearly 40% of all cases.
Only one in five Australian adults over 50 are up to date with their whooping cough vaccination, while one in four adolescents missed their whooping cough booster shot in 2023.
